A two-time bodybuilding state champion, known for donning Superman and Spider-Man costumes to sell candy, died mysteriously in a Brazilian prison on Sunday, per The Daily Mail. Wenderson de Souza, 30, awaited trial for murder when he fell ill in his cell. Authorities rushed him to a prison hospital, where he later died.
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Police reported a stab wound on de Souza's neck at the time of death. They remain unsure whether it stemmed from a fresh injury or a prior self-harm attempt after his March 10 arrest. De Souza faced charges for fatally stabbing 25-year-old Carla Fabrete at her family's cell phone store in Vila Velha, located 280 miles north of Rio de Janeiro.
Surveillance footage captured the chilling encounter. A shirtless de Souza chatted with Fabrete at the counter, feigning interest in a cell phone case. He then followed her to the back of the store, holding his pet dog's leash, before launching his attack. A second camera recorded him fleeing the scene.
Fabrete underwent surgery but succumbed to her injuries in the intensive care unit. She left behind a 2-year-old daughter. Civil Police Chief Raffaela Aguiar told G1, a Brazilian news outlet, that de Souza admitted he didn't know Fabrete. He targeted her randomly, seeking a vulnerable victim.
Bodybuilding Champ Sold Candy
"He left home that day to harm someone -- a woman, because she was more vulnerable," Aguiar said. She noted de Souza scouted the street for 10 minutes, walking his dog, before zeroing in on Fabrete's shop.
"He returned, analyzed it, and came back pretending to be a customer," Aguiar explained. Authorities confirmed his prior arrests for domestic violence against multiple girlfriends.
De Souza gained local fame as a bodybuilding champion and street performer. Dressed as superheroes, he sold candy to fund his nursing technician studies. On Instagram, he portrayed himself as a multifaceted figure -- photographer, poet, entertainer, and health worker. A second profile highlighted his bodybuilding accolades and coaching services.
His criminal history included a prison stint from March 2018 to July 2019 for attempted car robbery and domestic violence. Now, his death in custody adds another layer to a case already steeped in mystery. For now, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his fatal injury continues.
